Want a HS diploma, associate's degree in 5 years?

Twenty-four students were in the first Cleveland Early College High School graduating class last May.

Twenty-one of them continued their education at four-year colleges.

Now, the Early College High School is looking for students to apply for the class of 2017.

Thursday evening, the Early College will hold an open house for eighth-graders interested in the school.

“Students who are interested in applying are required to attend one of our open houses and then fill out a very simple application,” said Cleveland Early College High School Principal Dr. Anita Ware.

Applying middle school students can come from public, private or home schools but must be Cleveland County residents.

Applications and information are forwarded to an objective group in Greensboro and students are selected through a lottery process, Ware said.

“We require that at least 80 percent of the students selected are first-generation college students,” Ware said. “The whole point is to heavily recruit first-generation college students and hope they continue their education at a four-year school.”

Early College students work toward an associate’s degree as soon as they start as ninth-graders. The degree program is completed in five years.

“Our students are seeking a degree, not just college credits,” Ware said. “Some students are able to graduate in four years, but they are not able to graduate unless they complete their associate's degree.”

Before the Winter Break, teachers and administration met with the majority of Early College graduates to see how the school could be improved.

“Overwhelming the graduates gave positive feedback. They said they felt prepared and were doing well in their college classes,” Ware said. “We aren’t perfect and the feedback is good for us. We want to fine tune to make sure we are doing everything we can for our students.”

Along with taking college courses, the Early College engages students with hands-on projects.

Currently, junior students are interviewing people in the community about their involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and transcribing the interviews into a book, Ware said.

“We want to teach our students good working habits,” she said. “We want to make sure they will be a good employee in addition to good student.”

Want to learn more?

What: Prospective student open house

Where: Cleveland Early College High School

When: 6 p.m. Jan. 24, Feb. 21 and March 14

Reach Jessica Pickens at 704-669-3332 or jpickens@shelbystar.com. Follow on Twitter at @StarJPickens.